The Exchange Club of Penns Grove presented its 2013 Scholar Athlete Awards at DiPaolo’s Italian Restaurant in Penns Grove on June 4.

Each year, the Exchange Club recognizes an outstanding, senior male and female scholar athlete at Penns Grove, Pennsville and Woodstown high schools. Nominations for the award are proposed by varsity coaches at each school with final selection made by a selection committee designated by the school principal.

Nominees must have no less than a “B” average and have lettered in a varsity sport for a minimum of two years. Nominees must demonstrate leadership ability, good citizenship, cooperation and excellent conduct. They must also be active participants in other extra-curricular activities besides athletics.

Each recipient of the award receives a recognition certificate from the Exchange Club, a $500 savings bond and a citation from the New Jersey Legislature. This award is one of several programs the Exchange Club of Penns Grove sponsors each year.

The Exchange Club is a community service organization dedicated to supporting programs that benefit the local area.

The recipients of the 2013 Exchange Club of Penns Grove Scholar Athlete Award are:

Makos

Molly Makos - Woodstown

Molly has been very involved in Woodstown during her high school years. Her academic honors include: Ranked in the top five of her senior class, received the Sibley Award, and was the yearbook editor.

Her athletic accolades include captain of the two-time Tri County Conference championship Field Hockey team, Unsung Hero Award, 1st team all Tri County Conference, Softball: Named captain of team, 1st team all Tri County Conference, 4 year varsity letter winner. She received honorable mention for Salem County in 2011. Molly will continue her career at Clemson University majoring in biology.

Patrick McCurdy - Woodstown

Patrick is a role model for other student athletes. He is a very well-rounded student.

His athletic accolades are just as impressive. He has earned 7 varsity letters during his career at Woodstown. He is a member of our football and wrestling teams. He has been named a Salem County All Star and WJFL All- Star. During wrestling season he was named captain of the team, Salem County All Star and Tri County All Star. He holds the school record in wins with 117. The first wrestler ever in school history to have 100 career wins. Patrick will attend Marion Military Institute majoring in military sciences.

Cornman

Danielle Cornman - Pennsville

Danielle Cornman is indeed a scholar and an athlete. Danielle is an active member of the Class of 2013, an honor roll student, and a member of the Golden Eagle Club. She has made great contributions in athletics and music as well. Danielle is a dynamic athlete. She plays both varsity soccer and softball and has for four years. While Danielle has received scholarships for her incredible athletic talents, it should not be overlooked that she is also a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society and over the last four years has taken an active role in our concert band, jazz band, and Orchestra Academy performances. She will be attending Gloucester County College in the fall.

Jacob Samuels - Pennsville

Samuels

Jacob Samuels is an honor roll student who is actively involved in athletics. Jacob has participated in varsity soccer, track, and wrestling over his four years of high school. Jake was voted to be the captain of the wrestling team by his peers this past year. Jacob also attended the Salem County Vocational and Technical School for law enforcement and public safety. He has been a successful participant of the Diversity in Law Enforcement Academy youth program. Jake will be attending Pitt Community College after graduation majoring in criminal justice.

Jordan Massari - Penns Grove

Jordan Massari has displayed her leadership both on and off the field. She has been a fall varsity cheerleader all four years at PGHS, serving as a team captain the past two years. She has received the PGHS Coaches Award for cheerleading for the past two years, and this past fall was awarded the Brooks-Irvine Memorial Football Club Outstanding Cheerleader Award. Jordan has also been active outside of school sports, participating as a competitive dancer for 14 years, where she has competed throughout Eastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey. She has been a member of the Red Devil Players all four years as well. Jordan has been an outstanding student as well. She has been a member of Student Congress all four years, serving as vice president in 2011-2012. This school year she has served as the senior class president. Jordan has been very active in a variety of other school activities, including Superintendent’s Advisory Committee, Gifted & Talented, and Peer Mediation, just to name a few. She has also participated in various community volunteer activities. Jordan has achieved high honor roll status throughout high school, and is currently ranked 3rd in the class. She will be heading off next year to James Madison University, where she will be studying business.

Nick Elmer - Penns Grove

Elmer

Nick Elmer is a true scholar-athlete. Nick has been a standout football player, leading the PGHS football team to the South Jersey Group I State Championship. In doing so, Nick set several records, including the Penns Grove and Salem County touchdown passing record, and the New Jersey record for most yards rushing in a game by a QB. Nick continued his outstanding athletic performance this past winter on the wrestling mat. Nick broke the Penns Grove and Salem County record for most career wins, and ended up finishing 7th in the state in his weight class. Along the way, Nick has received multiple awards for football and wrestling, as well as being selected to a number of conference, South Jersey, and state all-star teams. Those honors include the Brooks-Irvine Memorial Football Club Scholar Athlete Player of the Year, the Touchdown Club of Southern New Jersey Back of the Year, and the South Jersey Wrestling Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete of the Year. Nick’s performance in the classroom has been outstanding as well. He has achieved high honor roll status throughout high school, and is currently ranked 2nd in the class. Nick will be continuing next year at Drexel University, where he will be wrestling and studying engineering.